article / 21 January 2021

Module 3.4: Real Time Clock

Welcome to the fourth part of Build Your Own Data Logger module 3. In these videos, we'll get into the process of writing our data logger application and carrying out our proof-of-concept strategy. 

In Module 3.4, we learn about how real time clocks (RTCs) are used in instrumentation. Timekeeping plays a central role in scientific field instrumentation. It’s used to timestamp data, synchronize multiple standalone devices, and also controls power management. We discuss how RTCs work, how outdoor conditions affect clock accuracy, and the different types of clocks and their accuracy. We also learn how to access and control the real time clock on the WildLogger board, set the date and time, and read it in different formats.

If you have questions while working through this module, you can ask your question in the Module 3.4 forum thread here

Below the videos, you'll find pdfs of the video slides and module 3.4 terminology cheatsheet. You can also find the related Arduino code files here.

 

 

 

Coming up in Module 3.5

Before you jump to the next submodule, visit the forum to show us your project in progress!

In Submodule 5, we'll be learning about SD cards, what all those symbols mean, what the FAT32 file system, then initialising, writing, and deleting files to our SD card. Ready? Head to Module 3.5 here


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